Narrative:

Out of FL180 we were cleared to cross zzzzz intersection at 8000'. We were descending through light turbulence associated with low level light rain showers off the coastline. Our top altitude was FL180 on this particular flight out of an abundance of caution due to a pressurization failure on the previous leg. After taking his seat [the first officer] asked me if we should deviate due to some of the rain clouds. Once he was situated in his seat I asked him to perform the descent transition checklist which includes adjusting the local altimeter setting. He replied; 'hold on let me get caught up here;' while I was focusing on crossing the zzzzz intersection at 8000 and slowing the aircraft to 250 KIAS by 10000'. Following zzzzz intersection; [we] were then given a vector to fly 180 degrees assigned and descend and maintain 4000'; and subsequently cleared direct ZZZZZ1 intersection at or above 2000' and cleared the ILS approach. I did not notice the local altimeter setting was not adjusted to 30.17 until on the approach. So we were approximately 250' low throughout the arrival and approach sequence.my first officer was distracted by the pressurization system which failed the previous leg and he was paying close attention that the cabin was descending appropriately.contributing factors were commencing the descent checklist below FL180; distractions from a suspect unrelated system; and my failure to follow up with an appropriate cross check of the subject checklist and confirmation that the checklist is complete. In order to prevent future occurrence; I will not proceed with any other tasks until I clearly know the checklist is completed verbally by the other crew member and to then will cross check that the items have been completed. Post-flight briefing between myself and non-flying pilot acknowledged the mistake made by us both and fostered an enhanced commitment to not get distracted with an emphasis on cockpit discipline. This is an honest mistake that cannot or will not happen again by this flight crew.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CL-600 Captain reported being task saturated during descent through 18;000 FT and failed to complete the Descent Checklist. The First Officer was preoccupied with the pressurization system and neither pilot realized the local altimeter setting not set.

Narrative: Out of FL180 we were cleared to cross ZZZZZ Intersection at 8000'. We were descending through light turbulence associated with low level light rain showers off the coastline. Our top Altitude was FL180 on this particular flight out of an abundance of caution due to a pressurization failure on the previous leg. After taking his seat [the First Officer] asked me if we should deviate due to some of the rain clouds. Once he was situated in his seat I asked him to perform the descent transition checklist which includes adjusting the local altimeter setting. He replied; 'Hold on let me get caught up here;' while I was focusing on crossing the ZZZZZ Intersection at 8000 and slowing the aircraft to 250 KIAS by 10000'. Following ZZZZZ Intersection; [we] were then given a vector to fly 180 degrees assigned and descend and maintain 4000'; and subsequently cleared direct ZZZZZ1 Intersection at or above 2000' and cleared the ILS approach. I did not notice the local altimeter setting was not adjusted to 30.17 until on the approach. So we were approximately 250' low throughout the arrival and approach sequence.My first officer was distracted by the pressurization system which failed the previous leg and he was paying close attention that the cabin was descending appropriately.Contributing factors were commencing the descent checklist below FL180; distractions from a suspect unrelated system; and my failure to follow up with an appropriate cross check of the subject checklist and confirmation that the checklist is complete. In order to prevent future occurrence; I will not proceed with any other tasks until I clearly know the checklist is completed verbally by the other crew member and to then will cross check that the items have been completed. Post-flight briefing between myself and non-flying pilot acknowledged the mistake made by us both and fostered an enhanced commitment to not get distracted with an emphasis on cockpit discipline. This is an honest mistake that cannot or will not happen again by this flight crew.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.